Amanda Rodríguez Durán (EFE) writes about biologist Carlos Diez, the first Puerto Rican scientist to receive the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS). Rodríguez Durán reports:
Biologist Carlos Diez made history by becoming the first Puerto Rican to receive the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS), an annual award that recognizes individuals from around the world for their contributions to the study of the biology and conservation of sea turtles.
This year, Diez, from the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA), was recognized—during the 44th ISTS Symposium—for dedicating more than 30 years to the study, management, and protection of sea turtles in the archipelago. The symposium brought together international scientists in Hawaii from March 3 to 6 [2026] to highlight those who have contributed to research on these species. [. . .]
The scientist, who co-founded and has directed Proyecto Carey de Isla de Mona [the Mona Island Hawksbill Project] since 1992, was nominated for the award by the 10 turtle conservation groups in Puerto Rico.
“He has left his mark on sea turtle conservation research,” noted Raymond Flores, director of Chelonia, an organization that focuses primarily on hawksbill, green, and leatherback turtles. He commented that he and the directors of the other entities that Diez assists in coordinating and developing from the DRNA agreed to nominate him for the award.
In their letter of recommendation, they highlighted that Diez has been key in ensuring Puerto Rico’s participation in regional and global conservation efforts by strengthening connections between agencies, communities, academic institutions, and international organizations.
They also stated that, thanks to her initiative, dedication, and leadership, a network of groups has been coordinated that now protects nesting beaches, educates the public, and provides essential data for conservation.
[. . .] Currently, Proyecto Carey is the longest-running project in the Caribbean dedicated to protecting and increasing the population of hawksbill turtles, both on Mona Island and the rest of Puerto Rico. The project’s main objective, initiated in collaboration with Dutch biologist Robert P. van Dam, is to study the population and reproductive changes of hawksbill turtles, an endangered species.
Monitoring has shown a significant increase in the number of hawksbill nests on Mona Island, rising from around 200 in 1990 to more than 1,000 per season in recent years, reflecting a population recovery linked to protection efforts and a reduction in the illegal trade. [. . .]
Excerpts translated by Ivette Romero. For full article (in Spanish), see https://www.elnuevodia.com/ciencia-ambiente/otros/notas/biologo-carlos-diez-recibe-importante-galardon-mundial-por-su-trabajo-con-las-tortugas-marinas/
[Photo above by David Villafane: Carlos Diez co-founded and directs, since 1992, Proyecto Carey of Mona Island.]
Amanda Rodríguez Durán (EFE) writes about biologist Carlos Diez, the first Puerto Rican scientist to receive the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS). Rodríguez Durán reports: Biologist Carlos Diez made history by becoming the first Puerto Rican to receive the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the International Sea Turtle Society (ISTS), an
